Several exciting initiatives for alumni are shared,
including Industry Insight Tours, AU Rewards, the
Alumni Ambassador program, and more.

16/ AN INTERVIEW WITH
STEDMAN GRAHAM

Ashford’s Fall 2013 commencement speaker
shares advice on how to move from being a
follower to a leader.

18/ ALUMNI

STORIES
Sgt. Tuffield “Tuffy” Latour leads members of the
U.S. men’s and women’s skeleton teams to medals
in Sochi.

CONTENTS / AU Alumni Magazine

ISSUE

08

BELOW LEFT: A graduate enters the iWireless Center before the
Fall 2013 Commencent Ceremony in Moline, IL. For more, see page 14.
BELOW RIGHT: Ashford campus students help provide relief
to a tornado-stricken community. For more, see page 27.

Get all the highlights from the Fall 2013
commencement weekend in Clinton, IA and
Moline, IL.

MAIN COVER PHOTO:
Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, and
Dr. Richard Pattenaude, President and CEO of Ashford University,
at the launch of the Forbes™ School of Business Speaker Series on
March 4, 2014 in San Diego, CA.

by Lorelei Plotczyk and Jay Conner
Alumni stories are brought to life in words and in
videos filmed at the Spring 2013 commencement.

20/ Michael Leach & Janice Dy

9/ Alumni Ambassador Program & Alumni
Tuition Grant

10/ SPEAKER SERIES

ALUMNI STORIES

SPOTLIGHT
26/ CAMPUS
by Ryan Thomas & Audra Adams

Learn about the Ashford Men’s Soccer Team’s
run to the NAIA Semifinals and Service Learning
trips to help with tornado relief.

NOTES
28/ CLASS
Learn about the successes of recent and soon-to-be
graduates.

MEDIA CORNER
30/ SOCIAL
Find out how to download special Ashford

wallpapers for your devices and social media pages.

31/

PROGRAM LIST

The content of the articles does not necessarily represent the views of Ashford University or Ashford Connections, its faculty or staff members, or any other individuals
associated with the organization or the publication. Ashford Connections reserves the right to edit or reject articles for space, style, and clarity.

2/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ WELCOME LETTER

All are working hard to advance
the mission of the University.

With more than 25 years of experience in education, Dr. Lori Williams has served as Ashford
University’s Provost since October 2013.
by Dr. Lori Williams

DR. LORI
WILLIAMS

One of my main motivations for assuming the leadership of Ashford was working
with such a talented, energetic, and passionate team. Everyone is so terrific!
Clearly all are working hard to advance the mission of the University.

University Provost

What is most inspiring to me about my position at Ashford is the ability to work
with others to improve the quality of the academic experience for our students.
As our programs continue to improve, the high quality of learning will allow our
students to more easily and effectively become the professionals they know they
can be, with the skills, knowledge, and competencies to grow in their careers.

Dear Ashford Students and Alumni,

Enjoy the issue!

On behalf of the staff and faculty at Ashford University, I would like to welcome
you to this issue of Ashford Connections. I would also like to take this opportunity
to introduce myself.

Sincerely,

I had the pleasure of joining Ashford University in October 2013. As the
University’s Provost, I am responsible for all aspects of Ashford’s academics,
including academic programs, accreditation and assessment, the academic
mission, and the academic experience for students.

Dr. Lori Williams, Provost
Ashford University

I bring more than 25 years of experience in education to Ashford. Most recently, I
served as the Vice Provost of Curriculum Development and Innovation at Kaplan
University. Prior to that, I was Executive Director of the Center for Student Success
at Walden University. Previous positions include Vice President of Product
Strategy and Development at Laureate Online Education, Executive Director
of Laureate’s eLearning Group, and Director of Instructional Technology at
Union Institute & University. Through each position, I gained more skills and
experience, which led me to the provost role at Ashford.

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/3

LATEST HAPPENINGS / AU Alumni Magazine

ASHFORD NEWS
with Words Alive, for students in grades K-5. One lucky classroom each month
wins a reading party hosted by KyXy on-air personality Little Tommy from the
Jeff and Jer Showgram. The winning class will also receive a $100 gift card for
their classroom from Ashford University. “I am proud to be a part of the Ashford
University Book Club,” said Little Tommy. “There isn’t anything better than
reading to children.”

FORBES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS OFFERING
STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

Watch highlights from the Forbes School of Business signing ceremony.

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY AND FORBES
MEDIA INTRODUCE THE FORBES™ SCHOOL
OF BUSINESS
In a reception held at its headquarters in San Diego on December 12, 2013,
representatives from Ashford University, Bridgepoint Education, and Forbes
Media unveiled the Forbes School of Business, formerly the College of Business
and Professional Studies. Students of the Forbes School of Business will
gain online access to Forbes resources dating back almost a century. Forbes
contributors may also be available to serve as guest lecturers, sharing their
expansive knowledge with Ashford’s online students. Other benefits for Forbes
School of Business students and, in some cases, alumni, include invitations to
unique speaker series (read more on page 10) and webinars featuring business
experts from Forbes’ roster of approximately 1,200 international contributors.

ASHFORD NAMED A 2014 RECYCLER OF THE
YEAR IN SAN DIEGO
Ashford University and their parent company Bridgepoint Education have been
selected by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department as
Recyclers of the Year in the 2014 Waste Reduction and Recycling Awards Program
due to their “outstanding recycling and waste reduction efforts.” The institutions
were recognized by San Diego mayor Kevin Falconer onboard the USS Makin
Island at a special media event on April 29.

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH
KYXY 96.5 TO PROMOTE LITERACY
Ashford University, in partnership with radio station KyXy 96.5, is encouraging
reading and supporting literacy throughout San Diego with the Ashford
University Book Club. Since February 2014 and for the remainder of the school
year, KyXy 96.5 and Ashford University have been highlighting a new book each
month, as recommended by the San Diego Council on Literacy in partnership

4/

The Forbes School of Business at Ashford University will award ten scholarships
valued at $5,000 each to students throughout 2014. As a result of Ashford’s
partnership with Forbes Media, students will be able to apply for either a Senior
Project Competition Scholarship or an Entrepreneurship Scholarship. As Dr.
Michael Reilly, Executive Dean and professor for the Forbes School of Business
at Ashford University, explained, “Funding an education can be challenging,
and finding online college scholarships can be time-consuming and difficult.”
Learn more about the scholarships.

DR. ALBERT KARNIG JOINS
ASHFORD UNIVERSITY
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Dr. Albert Karnig has accepted a position on the
Board of Trustees for Ashford University. His term
began March 14, 2014. Dr. Karnig’s career includes
more than 15 years of experience in higher education.
From 1997 to 2012, he served as the president of
California State University, San Bernardino. He
currently sits on the Board of Directors for several
organizations, including the California University of Science and Medicine,
the California Council on Economic Education, the KVCR Public Radio and
Television Educational Foundation, and the San Bernardino County Alliance for
Education. Dr. Karnig earned his Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and
his MS and PhD in Political Science from the University of Illinois.

ASHFORD APPOINTS
VICE PRESIDENT/CAMPUS
DIRECTOR
Dr. Charlie Minnick has been appointed Vice
President and Campus Director of Ashford’s Clinton,
IA campus. He has been in the position on an interim
basis since January 1, 2014. “He has been at Ashford
for eight years as campus dean for the Forbes
School of Business (FSB) and has been an integral
part of the campus leadership team,” said Dr. Lori
Williams, Ashford University provost. During his
Ashford tenure, Minnick has been responsible for many initiatives, including
launching the Office of New Student Experience and Engagement and the Office
of Service Learning and Leadership and developing and launching many new
degree programs, concentrations, and specializations. In addition, Minnick
has taught undergraduate business and management courses and chaperoned
a service learning trip to Toms River, NJ last year. Dr. Williams added, “We are
confident that the campus will thrive under his direction.”

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ LATEST HAPPENINGS

HOMEFRONT HEROES
SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO
MILITARY SPOUSES
Ashford University, in partnership with Cox
Communications, awarded Homefront Heroes
Scholarships to five military spouses in San Diego
County. Dr. Richard Pattenaude, Ashford University
President and CEO, presented the scholarships at the
Jacobs Music Center at Copley Symphony Hall during
the Home for the Holidays concert on December 19,
2013. The scholarship recognizes the strength and
support military spouses provide our nation’s service
members and covers tuition and books at Ashford
University. The 2013 scholarship recipients are Paige
Solis, Erin Beeman, Tracy Bernal, Amber Engle, and
Monique Morales.

ASHFORD UNIVERSITY
TO HOST FALL 2014
COMMENCEMENT IN
SAN DIEGO
In response to requests from students to hold
graduation on the West Coast, Ashford University
announced that it will host the Fall 2014
commencement ceremony in San Diego, CA at
the San Diego Convention Center. By offering a
commencement ceremony in San Diego, Ashford is
making the trip to graduation more affordable and
convenient for online students who live in California,
Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Hawaii,
Western Canada, and beyond. In California alone,
there are more than 2,500 Ashford students slated to
graduate in 2014. “Moving commencement to a west
coast location will create more opportunities for
students to personally meet the Ashford instructors,
staff members, and fellow students who supported
them throughout their journey to graduation,” said
Dr. Richard Pattenaude.

Two of the five Homefront Heroes Scholarship recipients and their spouses pose with Dr. Richard Pattenaude at the reception on
December 19. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Danny Solis and his wife Paige Solis, a recipient; Dr. Richard Pattenaude; and recipient Amber
Engle and her husband Ray Engle.

Moving commencement to a west coast
location will create more opportunities for
students to personally meet the Ashford
instructors…”

NEWEST ASHFORD UNIVERSITY COMMERCIALS RELEASED IN FEBRUARY
Two new Ashford University commercials were released in February of this year; one for Ashford University and one specifically for the
Forbes School of Business. The Ashford commercial, with a theme of “school comes to you,” shows how technology makes it possible
for working adults to earn a degree from anywhere. The Forbes School of Business commercial depicts how graduates of the School are
empowered to hold their own in the business world. Check out both TV spots below! //

View the Ashford University commercial

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

View the Forbes School of Business commercial

/5

JUST FOR ALUMNI / AU Alumni Magazine

ALL THINGS
ALUMNI
by Laurie Bianchi, Alumni Relations Manager

The staff members behind the Ashford
University Alumni Association (AUAA)
have been hard at work planning
exciting new initiatives for Ashfordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s
nationwide community of alumni,
including Industry Insight Tours,
AU Rewards, My Career, the Alumni
Ambassador Program, and the Alumni
Tuition Grant. Learn more in this
special section, Just For Alumni.

Have you ever wanted to meet decision makers, learn
the inside story on a company, and find people to
contact for employment or business opportunities?
The Ashford University Alumni Association
(AUAA)’s Industry Insight Tours aim to do just that.
Industry Insight Tours are designed for Ashford
graduates who seek jobs or want to expand their
professional network.

The Industry Insight Tour program will bring similar
opportunities to Ashford alumni in markets across
the country. The program offers a win-win solution
for both potential candidates and the companies
who open their doors to Ashford alumni. Hosting a
tour is a powerfully personal way for companies to
meet qualified potential candidates and potentially
do some recruiting.

Launched in January 2014 at Manpower of San Diego’s
headquarters, the tour featured Philip C. Blair, Chair
and Executive Officer of Manpower Staffing of San
Diego, Inc., who spoke about the company and the
recruitment industry. Not only did attendees gain
insight into a company that has placed more than
500,000 job seekers, but they also received a copy
of Blair’s new book, Job Won!, compliments of
Ashford University.

Future Industry Insight Tours will be announced on
the AUAA Events page. If you work for a company
that might enjoy hosting a group of Ashford
alumni in an Industry Insight Tour, please contact
Laurie Bianchi, Alumni Relations Manager, at
laurie.bianchi@ashford.edu. Finally, if you would
like to know more about a leading employer in your
area and nominate them for a tour, submit your ideas
to alumni@ashford.edu.
We look forward to seeing you at an upcoming
Industry Insight Tour in your area!

AU REWARDS OFFER
DISCOUNTS TO
ASHFORD ALUMNI
BEING AN ASHFORD ALUMNUS HAS MANY ADVANTAGES,
BUT DID YOU KNOW IT CAN SAVE YOU MONEY?
Ashford offers benefits to the entire Ashford community through our corporate partners, including discounts
on Dell computers, on Ashford’s Beneplace webpage. And now, Ashford’s Alumni Relations department
offers alumni-specific benefits with the introduction of the all-new AU Rewards program. To access AU
Rewards, log into your Student Portal and select the Popular Links tab.
AU Rewards offers cost savings that best fit the needs and lifestyles of Ashford alumni. Benefits include
savings on insurance, and will expand this year to include discounts on professional clothing, travel,
and fitness.

What Discounts
Would You Like To
See Offered?
As the program is just getting
started, we would love to hear from
you what kinds of benefits you’d like
us to offer. Let us know what makes
sense for you by emailing us at
alumni@ashford.edu, and we
will do our very best to deliver
even more benefits to you and your
alumni family!

GEICO Leads the Way on AU Rewards
Our first AU Rewards corporate partner is GEICO, who has stepped forward to design a discount program
specifically for Ashford alumni, saving you money on your car, motorcycle, boat, and home insurance.
The Alumni Association’s partnership with GEICO Auto Insurance gives alumni
the benefit of great rates on high-quality car insurance. In addition to your
Ashford alumni discount, which could shave as much as 8% more off GEICO’s
already low prices, you’ll also receive 24-hour service online or by phone, efficient
and fair claim handling, and the peace of mind that comes from being protected
by an auto insurance company rated A++ for financial stability.
Learn more about AU Rewards discounts available on GEICO insurance.

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/7

JUST FOR ALUMNI / AU Alumni Magazine

Accessing
the Student
Portal and
“My Career”
as an Alum
To access My Career, log in
to the Ashford University
Student Portal. Under Career
and Alumni Services, select
the link to My Career: Career
and Professional Development
Center. If you don’t remember
your Student Portal password,
use the Forgot your password?
option on the login screen.
If you cannot remember your
student ID, write to
student.records@ashford.edu
using the email address on file
with Ashford University and
include your name and date of
birth in your request.

JUMPSTART YOUR CAREER
WITH “MY CAREER”

View the above video to learn more about using “My Career: Career and Professional Development Center.”

Whether you are currently looking for work or are employed and
motivated to develop professionally, Ashford University has a new
resource available just for you! Free access to “My Career: Career
and Professional Development Center,” launched in February of
this year, is an exclusive benefit of being a member of the Ashford
alumni community.
Within My Career, you may access a number of
valuable resources, including the following:

• The optimal virtual interviewing practice tool, as
well as options to schedule live mock interviews

• Re´sume´ guidance, including a builder if you
are just getting started, samples and templates
to download, and the ability to submit your
resume for professional review by a Career
Services Specialist

• Connect, an area where you can meet others and
engage in discussion boards and live chats with
Ashford students, alumni, potential employers,
faculty, and staff

• Complimentary access to take personality
assessments and follow-up coaching regarding
results – find out what your strengths are and how
you can apply them for career success
• An events calendar to register for virtual and
in-person career development workshops and
hiring events

As an alumnus, you have already made a huge
accomplishment by achieving your degree. Keep
the momentum going in the right direction by
continually developing yourself to enhance your
professional achievements. Ashford’s Career &
Alumni Services Department is committed to
empowering you to achieve your greatest career
potential. Log into My Career to get started today!

• A job search function with opportunities
posted by employers seeking to hire Ashford
graduates (note: if you or someone you know are
interested in posting jobs, check out Ashford’s
Hire A Champ campaign)

8/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

ALUMNI
TUITION GRANT
Ashford University offers an Alumni Tuition Grant
to alumni who graduate from an Ashford University
or University of the Rockies (Ashford’s sister school)
degree program and enroll in another online
Ashford University or University of the Rockies
degree program. Students interested in furthering
their education at either school will find the Alumni
Tuition Grant helps eliminate some costs associated
with doing so.
Gwendolyn Bates of San Diego, CA is just one of
many alumni who have taken advantage of the
Alumni Tuition Grant. After earning a Bachelor of
Arts in Organizational Management from Ashford
in 2010, she immediately reenrolled at Ashford and
applied the Alumni Tuition Grant toward her Master
of Business Administration program, graduating
in 2012.

/ JUST FOR ALUMNI

...with the degrees,
I am more credible
and competent.
“With my degrees, I am able to view my company from
a professional business perspective,” she says. “I’ve
been able to implement trend forecasts, marketing
and SWOT [strengths, weaknesses, opportunities,
and threats] analysis, surveys, population samples,
and a financial plan for growth and exit. The degrees
have given me greater professionalism and selfconfidence in owning and operating a business.”

In addition to her many duties as a fledgling business
owner, this busy mom is also president of her
children’s elementary school, a PTA board member,
and a military spouse who serves as Ombudsman
encompassing over eight Naval bases in San Diego.
“Ashford has given me self-assurance in reorganizing
my company to operate it with assertiveness and
poise. I also feel that with the degrees, I am more
credible and competent. I feel distinguished and
accomplished as an Ashford alumnae.”
Find out more about the Alumni Tuition Grant. //

ALUMNI AMBASSADOR
PROGRAM
This summer, the Alumni Relations Department plans to launch the University’s
first Alumni Ambassador Program. This program will support Ashford students
and alumni across the country and around the world. Alumni who apply and
are approved for the Ambassador program will be able to share their experience
and wisdom with students and peers who wish to connect with someone who
has successfully graduated from Ashford. Get more information and updates
on alumni programs.

JOIN THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION >
Ashford alumni are able to take advantage of many benefits and programs, including the Alumni
Ambassador program.

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/9

SPEAKER SERIES / AU Alumni Magazine

FORBES SCHOOL
OF BUSINESS
KICKS OFF
SPEAKER SERIES
™

by Erik Siwak and Lorelei Plotczyk

Nearly 150 Ashford University students, alumni, faculty members,
and executives from the San Diego business community gathered
on March 4, 2014 for the launch of the Forbes School of Business
speaker series. Held at the University Club Atop San Diego’s
Symphony Towers, the event was the first in a line of speaking
engagements designed to bring prominent business experts to the
Ashford University’s Forbes School of Business community. The first
speaker invited was Forbes Media’s Chairman and Editor-in-Chief
himself, Steve Forbes.

10/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ SPEAKER SERIES

Left, below, and on the
following pages: Steve Forbes,
President and Editor-in-Chief
of Forbes Media, and other
attendees at the December
2013 signing ceremony for
Forbes’ alliance with Ashford.

A significant benefit of the partnership between
Ashford University and Forbes Media (more on page
4), the speaker series offers the Forbes School of
Business community access to events and webinars
featuring Forbes’ extensive roster of approximately
1,200 international contributors. A diverse mix of
high-level business leaders and forward thinkers
will engage with the Ashford community throughout
the year. These events will be live streamed and/
or recorded in order to allow the entire Ashford
community to participate. Ashford’s leadership will

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

curate the speakers’ backgrounds and the topics
covered for relevance to the programs offered by the
Forbes School of Business.
While the series is hosted by the Forbes School
of Business, all Ashford students and alumni are
invited, and the live stream will be open to all
students and alumni as well. Additionally, adjunct
faculty and staff members around the country will
be invited to attend so that students and alumni can
connect with them.

/11

SPEAKER SERIES / AU Alumni Magazine

“Our mission is to provide quality education, and we are excited
to have Forbes as a strategic partner in that mission.”
While introducing Steve Forbes at March’s inaugural event, Ashford University
President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Richard Pattenaude referred to the
speaker series launch as a symbolic event, part of the University’s journey to
becoming one of the nation’s best private online institutions. “When discussions
of an alliance between Ashford University and Forbes Media began, one aspect I
was most excited about was the chance for Ashford students to hear directly from
the knowledgeable experts associated with Forbes Media,” said Dr. Pattenaude.
“Our mission is to provide quality education, and we are excited to have Forbes as
a strategic partner in that mission. I’m pleased to say that more than 250 Forbes
School of Business courses already reflect Forbes’ rich intellectual content in
their curriculum.”
In his powerful presentation, Forbes addressed the state of the global economy,
from the significance of the current (as of press time) Russia-Ukraine conflict to
taxation in the United States, health care, monetary issues, entrepreneurship, and
even Bitcoins. Forbes also addressed the future of the US economy, forecasting
growth and improvement in 2014.
“With credit markets evening out and bank lending growing again, the US
economy should be better this year than it has been in the last four years,” Forbes
told the students. “Study at Ashford and get ready for another period of global
prosperity.”
The public can watch a short overview video of the event on Ashford’s YouTube
channel. Additionally, students and alumni should keep an eye out for the
presentation in its entirety, available exclusively to them, in the Student Portal.
Parts of the presentation will also be built into Forbes School of Business
curriculum for current students.
The next event in the speaker series will feature Ken Fisher – Founder, Chairman,
and CEO of Fisher Investments. Fisher is a top investment analyst on the 2013
Forbes 400 list of richest Americans and Forbes list of world billionaires. He
will be speaking and participating in a meet-and-greet at Ashford’s Clinton,
IA campus on May 3 during Spring 2014 commencement weekend. Though
the deadline to RSVP occurred before press time of this publication, look for
exclusive invitations for upcoming Forbes School of Business Speaker Series
events in the near future! //

12/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ SPEAKER SERIES

Q&A WITH
STEVE FORBES
by Lorelei Plotczyk

We had a chance to speak with Steve Forbes after
his presentation on March 4. In addition to the
below answers to our questions, he extended a
personal congratulations to all this year’s graduates
of Ashford University.
The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media, Steve Forbes, took a moment to answer some
questions after his presentation.

Ashford Connections (AC): What are your hopes for graduates of the Forbes
School of Business?

The purpose of business is to
produce happiness, not to pile
up money.

Steve Forbes (SF): Well, that they get the tools that they need to go out and
develop their talents and learn to make mistakes . . . and be successes. And
my grandfather said in the first issue of Forbes, ‘The purpose of business is to
produce happiness, not to pile up money.’ And so it’s about developing – it’s an
overused phrase, but absolutely true – human capital.
AC: Can you speak to the ability of institutions like Ashford to be a disruptive force?
SF: By giving people the knowledge and confidence to go out into the world, by
creating and doing new things – that, by its very definition, is disruptive. So you
come up with a new project, a new service, a new process; you are disrupting but
serving the needs and wants of others. [Ashford University is] giving people the
tools to go out and do it.
AC: What’s your biggest advice for fledgling entrepreneurs?
SF: For fledgling entrepreneurs: one, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work. It’s like
baseball; you don’t always hit a home run when you go up to the plate. And very
importantly: cash flow, cash flow, cash flow. Stay on top of that, because that’s
killed more new starting businesses than anything else. You think you’re moving
ahead, and you suddenly find you don’t have the juice to do it.
AC: How is an environment for innovation best created today?
SF: An environment for getting ahead is very simple. Sound money, low tax
rates, rule of law, and regulations that provide the rules of the road instead of
telling people how to do things – and rules that are understandable and not at the
discretion of bureaucrats. Then people will do the rest. //

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/13

COMMENCEMENT / AU Alumni Magazine
Ashford University celebrated its Fall commencement on Sunday, October 13, 2013. More than 700
graduates and nearly 4,000 guests traveled to the Clinton, IA area to attend the graduation ceremony.
Ashford graduated a total of 7,563 students since the University’s previous commencement ceremonies
in May. The ceremonies in Moline, IL capped off a weekend of celebration that began on October 12 with
a variety of events for graduates and their families at Ashford’s Clinton campus. We’ve gathered some
highlights from the weekend to share with you here!

A TALE
OF 4 MBAS
4 classmates meet in person for the first time – and
unexpectedly – at their commencement ceremony.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Fellow MBAs Bobby Antee, Richard Rosas, Sara Schaeffer-Alsop, and Mari Foley were delighted to
meet in person at commencement.

Throughout their Master of Business Administration
(MBA), Marketing specialization program – and
especially in their final course – classmates Richard
Rosas, Mari Foley, Bobby Antee, and Sara SchaefferAlsop provided support and encouragement for one
another in the form of discussion board posts and
group emails.
“Not only did we discuss the topics set forth by the
professor,” explains Richard, a Senior Rare Disease
Specialist at Novartis, but we would lean on each
other and encourage one another.”
The coursework wasn’t easy, but when all was said
and done, all four were officially MBAs! And though
they continued to stay connected through social
media, they hadn’t thought to communicate about
whether anyone else in the group was attending the
Fall 2013 commencement ceremony in Illinois. After
all, they were from such far-flung locations as Texas,
New York, and California.
So imagine their surprise not only to hear each
other’s names called out at the ceremony, but to
discover they were only seats away from other!
Mari, a global marketing communications manager
who hopes to work her way up to a director position,
describes her delight upon being able to meet her
support network in person. “It was really funny to
all of a sudden hear someone’s name called that you
recognize. Then I heard the other two names, and it

14 /

“It was great to be able to put a
face and voice to the names!”

just fell into place that our whole group was there.
We hugged each other as soon as the ceremony was
over. I felt connected and like I really belonged at that
point with people who knew me and I knew them.”
Adds Sara-Schaeffer-Aslop, a product support
manager at Hewlett-Packard Company, “It was great
to be able to put a face and voice to the names!”
And Bobby, a senior consultant and aspiring
entrepreneur, says, “I was so happy to see them. It
was a wonderful feeling!”
Although the four in this group became particularly
close, they also point out the strength of the
learning community as a whole. Bobby calls his
Ashford classmates “always passionate and willing
to help. They push you further than just answering
questions.” Mari says, “We collaborated and bounced
ideas off each other and were able to teach one
another from our experiences and interpretations of
the material we were learning. We communicated as
much as possible to get the most out of the program.”
Additionally, all four in the group have seen positive
results professionally from having earned their
MBAs. “In the past,” explains Mari, “I was invited to
high level professional meetings in which topics were
discussed that I didn’t understand, so I wasn’t able to
contribute. During my degree program, I learned the
terminology and what it all meant, so I am now able
to contribute and be a member that people turn to
for help on their projects.”

Bobby says, “I have used my knowledge with my
current position by implementing projects and
setting up presentation material.” Sara points
out that she is “empowered to better summarize
financial results and better communicate her
summaries,” while Richard says, “My degree has
helped me sharpen my skills and apply them to my
current position.”
Of the ceremony, Richard adds, “Encountering
these classmates was one of my biggest surprises
at commencement. They, along with my family and
close friends, understood the work that was necessary
to get to that day. Participating in commencement
will be an experience I will always remember.” Sara
agrees, saying, “I made a point to remind myself to
take it all in and store the memories away so I can
recall them, since this will most likely be my last
commencement ceremony.”
In closing, says Mari, “I dedicated 22 months of my
life toward this and I’m so glad I did, so I can cross it
off my bucket list and not have any regrets. Meeting
my classmates in person at commencement was the
icing on the cake!” //

Campus staff members Audra Adams, Manager of Service
Learning, and Larry Libberton, Director of Communications,
are always thrilled to meet online students at commencement.

need caption

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

Wounded warrior Mitch
Chapman, BA in Operations
Management and Analysis,
2013, is guided by his service
dog Justice. The ceremony was
5 years to the day from his lifealtering combat injury.
Read more about Mitch.

/15

COMMENCEMENT / AU Alumni Magazine

AN INTERVIEW WITH
STEDMAN GRAHAM
by Lorelei Plotczyk

The official commencement speaker for the Fall 2013 Commencement
Ceremony was none other than educator, author, and businessman
Stedman Graham. He is Chairman and CEO of S. Graham &
Associates (SGA), an adjunct professor to several universities
around the country, and has authored eleven books, including
two New York Times bestsellers. His latest release is “Identity:
Your Passport to Success.” Graham’s presentations on the topics of
identity development, maximizing leadership, achieving success,
and personal and professional branding are driven by his Nine-Step
Success Process®, a life and learning management system designed to
organize your life around your identity. We got the chance to sit down
and talk with him after he addressed the crowd of about 4,700 people
at commencement.
Ashford Connections (AC): As an educator, author,
and speaker, how would you describe the work you do
in a nutshell?
Stedman Graham (SG): I teach identity development;
I teach people how to find out who they are, how to take
education and information and make it relevant to
their purpose in life, and then transfer it to their minds
– and then transfer it to the American free enterprise
system in the global marketplace so they can organize
a life around themselves and shape their future.
AC: Tell us a little bit about growing up and your first
jobs, and how you got from there to where you are today?
SG: I grew up in a small town; Whitesboro NJ. I was
a basketball player, I got a scholarship to college, and
after I graduated I went into the service and played
ball in Europe. After the service I worked in the prison
system for 5 years. That wasn’t my first job [though];
my first job was [as] a short order cook on the beach,
which I got fired from because I ate too many of the
profits. [Laughs]. But I worked in the prison system for
5 years, in public relations and marketing for years – I

16 /

used to own an advertising company – I worked in the
sports marketing industry, and now I’ve dedicated my
life to education and teaching people about identity
development leadership.
AC: Talk about what reinvention means to you in
the 21st century, and how adult learners tie in to that
concept.
SG: Reinvention means that you have to prepare
yourself in the 21st century, because the marketplace
is really changing a lot through technology, and you
have to be a lifelong learner and developer. You have
to be more of an owner of your own development,
stay on the cutting edge, be motivated, have good
leadership skills, be a self-starter, and be focused. You
have to know where you’re going, how you’re going to
get there, and what the process is. And you have to be
able to assimilate into a global marketplace and deal
with all kinds of people, so you have to have good
relationship skills.

Stedman Graham spoke to about 700 Ashford graduates and
4,000 of their guests at the iWireless Center in Moline, IL on
October 13, 2013.

I think adult learners are on the right track. The fact
of the matter is, we have to keep learning. We have
to keep reinventing ourselves all the time and again,
stay on the cutting edge, and get the best information
that will make us relevant – the buzz word of the 21st
century is relevance.
AC: You talk about the difference between having a
true identity versus simply embodying the labels we are
assigned by society – can you explain this, and how it’s
relevant to our career paths?
SG: True identity is really being able to get beyond the
socially constructed labels that [otherwise] define you
and put you in a box. People are defined by their race,
and they get into a box, and they’re defined by their
family and their background and their job and title
– and really, that’s not who you are. Identity is about
going deeper in your development, trying to figure out
what you love, what your talents are, what your skills
are, and really what your natural abilities are. Like I
said, everyone has 24 hours [in a day], so the question
is: what to do with your 24 hours so you can organize
yourself every day? Then you can develop a process
for continuous improvement.
AC: How can adult learners or anyone else turn their
passion into a profession?
SG: The passion is the core. That’s your authenticity,
that’s your foundation for growth and development,
that’s being able to organize your life around the
different things that you love and care about. So it’s
a process of being able to get to that natural ability
and figure out what is relevant to you, what makes you
happy, what you care about, and take that information
and make it relevant to that. So I call it developing a
strong work-life balance, which is long-term. And to
figure out how to clarify what’s important to you, and
what you should be working on.

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

AC: Even though we still have the same 24 hours in a day we’ve always had, it seems like today we have fewer
hours in a day because we’ve crammed them full. How can people achieve greatness when they’re working with
less time?
SG: Well, that’s probably more of an illusion that anything else. We just do a lot of things we’re not supposed
to be doing. We’re not clear on the things that we should be doing, and we waste a lot of time. Going after
the dream, going after the big things as opposed to working on the small things. How do you get to the top
of the mountain? You take one step at a time. So it’s a step-by-step process of organizing your life. I created a
9-step success process, which teaches people how to organize a life around themselves, and makes it clear
what your time should be used for.

/ COMMENCEMENT

Watch these videos
featuring sections of this
interview as well as the full
commencement speech.

AC: You talk about how as children, we go to school, memorize information, repeat it, and then forget it. How
would you advise online adult learners to avoid that pattern and get more out of their education?
SG: Again, it starts with having an identity and being clear on what you’re going to be working on and what
makes you happy and what motivates you. There’s three ways to learn. Number one: you need information,
you need content. And we have lots of content in the marketplace. The question is, is it relevant? Number
two: you need cognitive ability. So you need to be able to think about what’s important to you and you need
to be able to understand how to process and take information and make it relevant to your life and make it
actionable. And the third way is: you need to be motivated.

STEDMAN GRAHAM FULL KEYNOTE SPEECH
Watch the full keynote address delivered by Stedman.

So you want to do things that you’re passionate about, that you care about, and that you love, because life
is about working on yourself every single day to improve – and it’s called practice. So you need to practice,
practice, practice all your life working on the right things to make you happy – and then it’s really not work!

“We have to keep reinventing ourselves
all the time and again, stay on the cutting
edge, and get the best information that
will make us relevant – the buzz word of
the 21st century is relevance.”
AC: Now that Ashford graduates here today have achieved this milestone, is it enough for them to just show up
to work with a degree or are there next steps you advise them to take?
SG: I think that you have to be careful that you don’t move further and further behind today, because
the global marketplace is expanding and you have to be prepared. There’s a saying that “success is when
preparation meets opportunity.” And today with all the technology moving so fast and . . . having to compete
with people all over the world, you have to be prepared and you have to stay prepared. And so the ability to
rest and relax is not a part of the program any more. You have to be on it, be conscious of the opportunity to
create and develop, have ongoing innovation and creativity, work hard, be passionate about your work, show
up, and be self-engaged in the world that you live in. You’ve got family, yourself, your community, work,
and all these other things you have to balance, so it takes a very special person – ¬and that’s called strong
leadership. It takes a strong leader. And that’s who you have to become. You have to move from a follower to
a leader – and stay there. //

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

KNOW WHO YOU ARE
This montage of sights from the commencement
ceremony is set to the inspiring words of Stedman.

STEDMAN GRAHAM ON THE
MOST POWERFUL WORD
Watch to find out what Stedman says is the most
important word to keep in mind as we continually
adapt to the pace of technology.

/17

ALUMNI STORIES / AU Alumni Magazine

ASHFORD ALUM
COACHES US
SKELETON TEAMS
IN SOCHI
by Lorelei Plotczyk

Follow your dreams,
never give up, and
when it gets tough,
push through it.

In 1990, Tuffield “Tuffy” Latour answered a solicitation in an Air
Force newspaper for active duty airmen to try out for the U.S. Bobsled
team. “I started sliding that year driving bobsleds and raced for the
next eight years,” Tuffy explains. In 1998, he started coaching bobsled
and has never looked back.
Now an Air Force Sergeant, Tuffy has coached in the last four games and has led six U.S. and Canadian
athletes to medals. In Salt Lake City in 2002, he was the driving coach for the U.S. Women’s Bobsled Team; in
2006 in Torino, he was the U.S. Men’s Bobsled Team head coach; and in 2010 in Vancouver, he was the head
coach for the Canadian men and women’s bobsled teams. Later that year, he took the job as the head coach
for the U.S. Skeleton Team.
Earlier this year in Sochi on the world stage, he led the U.S. men’s and women’s skeleton teams to two medals
(a silver for Noelle Pikus-Pace in the women’s skeleton event and a bronze for Matt Antoine in the men’s
event). Several of his other athletes placed respectably as well. He found the Sochi sliding facilities to be
world-class and the entire experience extremely positive.
Serving our country not only at the world’s most prestigious athletic event but also in the military means
that Tuffy is involved in the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP). WCAP provides outstanding
soldier-athletes the support and training to compete and succeed in national and international competitions
leading to the games, while maintaining a professional military career and promoting the U.S. Army to the
world. “I got involved in WCAP in 1995 shortly after I joined the Vermont Army National Guard. As a soldier,
it’s always an honor to be able to serve and represent your country at the . . . games.”
Tuffy enrolled at Ashford in 2007 right after taking the Head Coach position with the Canadian bobsled
team. “Ashford offered me the ability to take classes while on the road. As a bobsled and skeleton coach,
we travel quite a lot in the winter months, which leaves flexibility as a must for any working adult. I really
enjoyed my time at Ashford. I feel that I learned a lot, as I was able to relate quite a bit to the Organizational
Management degree I was pursuing.”
Tuffy has continued to juggle many roles successfully, although he points out, “As a husband, father, soldier,
student, and coach, I’ve always had my hands full. It’s amazing how time flies by when you’re trying to juggle
so many areas of life.”
His advice to Ashford students and alumni is as follows: “Follow your dreams, never give up, and when it gets
tough, push through it. I always tell my athletes to focus on the process. Part of that belief system is to take it
one curve at a time, which in turn allows the athletes to stay process-oriented.” //

18/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ ALUMNI STORIES

ALUMNI STORIES
BROUGHT TO LIFE
by Lorelei Plotczyk and Jay Conner

The following videos were all filmed at the Fall 2013 commencement weekend on the Ashford
campus in Clinton, IA as well as at the iWireless Center in nearby Moline, IL, where the ceremony
was held. From an international marketing wunderkind to a teacher bringing technology into her
classroom, we hope these stories inspire and move you.

COMMUNICATIONS GRAD HELPING KIDS
BRITTANY HARRIS
Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, 2013
Having graduated from Ashford University at the
age of 27, Brittany Harris is not wasting time getting
started with her professional goals.
“I want to reach out in schools and do public
speaking and mentoring,” she enthused on her
commencement day, “so this Communication
Studies degree encompasses all of it: the material
that I’ll have to come up with, the memos that I’ll
have to write, the public speaking I’ll have to do. I’m
already in the works of starting my own business
where I’m going into local schools in my area and
talking about the next steps, talking about going to
college and figuring out what to do.”

“I want to reach out
in schools and do
public speaking and
mentoring.”

Upon hearing this, one might assume this resident
of Blacklick, OH must have the luxury of time – but
nothing could be further from the truth. “Being a
single mom,” she shared, “I’ve had a full-time job and
a lot of other extracurricular activities. It was nice to
be able to answer the discussion posts from pretty
much wherever I was, or to download [interactive
learning platform] Constellation and be able to read
my textbooks while I’m waiting on my daughter in
dance class, or waiting on her swimming lessons. So
I was able to take school with me.”
Brittany’s road to earning her degree was not a
short one. She went to two other universities prior
to Ashford, and was able to transfer in 46 of the 49
credits she submitted from those institutions. “And
then that way I didn’t have to go back and start over;
I was able to just keep going.”
When she finally pulled up to Ashford’s Clinton,
IA campus with her daughter and mother Tanya
(who is also an Ashford graduate!), she explained
that her surreal feelings transformed into a more
tangible experience. “It’s actually tomorrow I’ll be
crossing the stage! It’s been a 7-year journey to get my
Bachelor’s degree, so now that it’s finally at the end,
it’s just amazing.”

View the above video to see our interview with Brittany.

graduate degree and a teaching licensure. “I started
as a teacher’s aide and was able to get a full-time
teaching position, and I love it. It’s just my passion. It
made a big difference having that degree.”
With this family legacy coupled with such
enthusiasm and passion, it’s likely that there will be
no limit to what Brittany can accomplish.
*This program was replaced with the
Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies.

Tanya, who graduated in 2009 with her Bachelor of
Arts in Social Science, Education concentration*, was
equally emotional, especially since she didn’t get to
attend her own Ashford commencement but was
now able to cheer on her daughter. She reflected on
her own professional success due in part to earning
her Ashford degree, after which she went on to earn a

“Knowing it’s over and yet just
beginning is a strange and
fantastic feeling.”
View the above video to see our interview with Michael.

“One of my biggest concerns coming in was: I had
tried college before and wasn’t all that good at it,”
admits 2013 graduate Michael Leach. “Ashford was
the only school willing to let me transfer in the
credits that worked with me instead of transferring
in the ones that held me back.”
Transferring in 24 credits toward his Bachelor of Arts
in Journalism and Mass Communication helped
Michael make the most of going back to school. He
also found the online set-up much more accessible

than learning in a brick and mortar classroom.
“Most of my teachers would email me back within
three hours of sending an email out. They were very
up on keeping in touch with the students,” he says.
“And learning online was beneficial as far as not
having to ever leave the house to go anywhere. It just
really worked out quite nicely.”

freelance work. “They
were very impressed
with what I had written
for Ashford,” he says.
“Having the journalism
degree takes a talent I
have and allows me to
do something with it.“

Michael encourages anyone who is thinking about
going back to school to look closely at Ashford as a
way to make it happen in an affordable and efficient
way. “You deserve to feel proud of yourself,” he
says. “For me, knowing that it’s over and yet just
beginning, is a strange and fantastic feeling.”
Michael is currently working on a memoir detailing
his life with a disability.

Right before attending his graduation, Michael went
on his first interview at a local newspaper in the
Winchester, CA area, where he lives. Before even
scheduling the second interview, the company
told him they’d like to bring him on to do some

MARKETING WUNDERKIND GOES INTERNATIONAL
JANICE DY
Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Marketing, International
Management specialization, 2013
Ashford University graduate Janice Dy and a friend
started a fitness magazine called Asian Bodi to
share fitness tips while giving exposure to Asian
athletes and bodybuilders. After Asian Bodi caught
the attention of one of the world’s most popular
bodybuilding magazines, Flex, Janice and her friend
were invited to help Flex expand their Asian market.
“My final paper at Ashford was about the
globalization of Asian Bodi,” Janice explains.
“Because of the research I did at school, I was able
to give that information to someone else, and they
were so impressed about some of my marketing
findings, I was given a great career opportunity! I’m
really excited.”
This Orlando, FL resident, who graduated from
Ashford at the age of 30, was recently put in charge
of marketing for Flex Southeast Asia. She’s also
planning on growing her own magazine’s market to a
dozen more countries. The biggest challenge she feels
she and most other international managers have to
deal with is learning how to integrate different kinds

20/

Before coming to Ashford, Janice took classes
at Penn State and University of Central Florida.
Even though her courses at Penn State were also
through an online program, she felt Ashford better
accommodated her schedule. “Ashford’s program
is more conducive to a full-time working adult,” she
says, “because you’re able to focus on one course at
a time. It also helped me complete my assignments
with quality as well.”
View the above video to see our interview with Janice.

of personnel and employee personalities on top of
different types of cultural backgrounds. “Through
some of the courses I took at Ashford, I feel up to that
challenge,” she says. “You have to be adventurous;
you have to be open to different opportunities and
driven to deal with those challenges.”

Janice always had hopes of using her Public
Relations and Marketing degree in the fitness
industry, specifically on an international scale. She’s
enjoying seeing her dreams become reality.
“This is just the beginning,” she says. “It’s really
great to be able to take my coursework from Ashford
University and use it professionally.”

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ ALUMNI STORIES

TEACHER USING TECHNOLOGY
IN HER CLASSROOM
JULIE ANN MCCOY PERCEVECZ
Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology, 2013
With 26 years of teaching experience in an elementary school classroom under her belt, Julie Ann McCoy
Percevecz was under zero pressure to add to her professional credentials. A second grade teacher and a
gifted and talented program coordinator at her school, she already held a Bachelor’s degree in elementary
education and a Master’s in counseling. Yet, at the age of 50, this Schertz, TX resident has expanded her
academic arsenal even further by graduating from Ashford University with a Master of Arts in Teaching and
Learning with Technology (MATLT) – with a 4.0 GPA!
Along with the eventual goal of transitioning to becoming an online instructor, Julie cites her desire to
improve and enhance her teaching ability in the classroom as a major driving force in pursuing this unique
degree. “Technology is the future in education. My classroom kiddos benefit from this degree every day. The
tools and knowledge I have gained from the program are priceless, and I share them with my coworkers on
a day-to-day basis as well.”
The degree’s positive impact on her ability to shine professionally is clear. Recently, while developing a
program for her gifted students, Julie drew from her Ashford coursework to develop a training presentation
that her whole district then used. Additionally, many projects that have to do with technology now often

View the above video to see our interview with Julie
and her husband Joe, who also graduated.

fall to her, a position she relishes being in. “I have led
the way with my team several times on developing
lessons that have been used throughout the school.”
The impact has been no less profound on her
students. “There were several activities I pulled
directly from my MATLT course activities, including
the ability to convert a typical lecture lesson into an
online activity that was 100% completed at home
with parents and presented in class. Everyone was
excited about the whole process.”
Her advice to others in a similar stage in their career?
“Your education is something that’s never too late to
receive and will never be regretted.”

Brian Habel, who is in
charge of recruiting and
retention for the Illinois
Army National Guard,
earned a perfect 4.0 GPA
at Ashford University
despite his military
commitment – which
included an overseas
deployment!

Brian credits the staff
and technology behind Ashford’s online platform for making it possible. “While
deployed, it was very easy to communicate and attend the classes. Being online,
you can feel like you’re a million miles away with a lot of different schools, but the
customer service at Ashford has been outstanding.”
This Rock Island, IL resident has been active duty National Guard since 1986 and
has five children and stepchildren ranging from elementary school age to adult.
“It keeps you busy!”

The professional benefits of having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational
Management degree, which he did at the age of 46, have been tangible as well.
“My team does a lot of projects within the community, so it gives me new ideas,
fresh information, and more knowledge to pass on to them about how to make
successful projects happen.” //

While deployed, it was very
easy to communicate and
attend the classes.

How does Brian explain the incredible achievement of having earned a perfect
4.0 GPA despite his professional, family, and travel commitments? “That was
kind of a personal goal for my kids; showing them that when you’re going to do
something, jump in with both feet rather than halfway. Having a 4.0 meant I was
making the most out of that opportunity that Ashford was presenting to me. I
wanted to take everything out of the college experience that I could.”

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/21

FACULTY SPOTLIGHT / AU Alumni Magazine

COLLEGE OF
LIBERAL ARTS
In this issue, we get to know two professors
from Ashford’s College of Liberal Arts. True to
their College’s namesake, they bring interesting
backgrounds in unexpected and diverse fields into
their classrooms.
by Lorelei Plotczyk
Dr. Dan Tinianow relaxes at home in Denver with his wife Wanzhu Zhao, also an Ashford
employee, and their sons Matthew and Nathaniel.

DR. DAN TINIANOW
Dr. Dan Tinianow, an Assistant Professor in Ashford’s College of Liberal Arts,
currently teaches COM 200 Interpersonal Communication. “I like teaching
a course that almost everyone takes and that everyone can relate to their
everyday life. Ultimately, I want to teach as many of the Communication
Studies courses as I can.”
This current resident of Denver, CO brings a hands-on background in
communications into his virtual classrooms, having worked in the Los Angeles
entertainment industry during the 2000s. He pitched television shows to people
like Warren Littlefield (who put Seinfeld on the air and had a character on the
show based on him) and companies like International Creative Management
(ICM). He had a series in development with the Johnson Group, which oversees
media aspects of the Democratic and Republican national conventions every
four years, and was the senior researcher for a History Channel program
called “Secret Passages.” He also did script coverage for product placement
and celebrity endorsement firm The Reel Ross Group, where he read scripts for
movies and looked for product placement opportunities.

“I like teaching a course that
almost everyone…can relate to
their everyday life.”
In addition to Colorado, teaching jobs have also taken Dr. Tinianow to China
and Japan, and he speaks both languages to a degree. Fascinatingly, he is also
a certified hypnotherapist, though currently out of practice. His wife works
on the opposite side of the same floor in Ashford’s Denver office as a Student
Advisor, and they have lunch together almost every day. They have two young
sons and a senior Bichon Frise.

And Dr. Tinianow’s Hollywood experience wasn’t only behind the scenes – in
2002, he appeared as a contestant on the show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”
and won $16,000! “The game show did a special event called ‘radio week,’ and I
represented KFI, a major radio station in Los Angeles. I got this honor by being
the high scorer on a qualifying quiz, and then had to compete against the other
LA finalists in New York for the final spot.” He found it interesting to be on the
other side of the camera, and his industry experience meant he wasn’t fazed
by aspects of production viewers don’t see at home, like having to repeat a part
of the show four times due to a cell phone interfering with the lighting system!
So how does working in academia compare to an exciting Hollywood career?
“To be honest, work in the entertainment business is a lot of fun, but there is
also a lot of pressure and, more significantly, a lot of walking over other people
to move your own career forward, which is the part that keeps me in academia!
I continue to have ideas for and contacts in the industry, though, so maybe I’ll
do some work there again someday, but it’s not a priority – and living in Denver,
it’s not that likely right now.”

Dr. Katie Bojakowski is an Assistant Professor in
the College of Liberal Arts at Ashford University,
where she teaches in the Social Science/Justice
Studies department. She holds a doctorate and a
Master of Arts in Nautical Archaeology from Texas
A&M, where she graduated magnum cum laude on
both occasions. She also graduated magnum cum
laude from Eastern Washington University, where
she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology.
Dr. Bojakowski’s graduate degrees focus on the
study of ancient and historical shipwrecks. “My
scholarly interests range widely from nautical
archaeology with an emphasis on 15th-19th
century Atlantic seafaring, to English, Bermudian,
and American colonial seafaring, to Caribbean
seafaring. I am also interested in the study of ships
as societal symbols, ship iconography, gender in
archaeology, and the anthropology of seafaring.”
She’s participated on several shipwreck excavations
throughout her career and is currently the codirector of The Warwick Project, a collaborative
effort between several groups to excavate the racebuilt galleon Warwick, which wrecked while at
anchorage in Bermuda during a hurricane in 1619.
As director of the Warwick Project, Dr. Bojakowski
has funded the excavation of this prime example
of a late 16th-century naval warship, and early

Dr. Katie Bojakowski hard at work as a nautical archaeologist.

/ FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

keeps my research exciting and fresh.”

Dr. Kate Bojakowski’s passion for nautical archaeology has
taken her all over the world.

17th-century ships that played a fundamental
role in supplying the English settlements in
North America, through grants from the National
Geographic Society, the Perot Foundation, the
Global Exploration and Overlanding Society, and
the Institute of Nautical Archaeology, among
others. The project has generated peer-reviewed
publications, conference presentations, and public
interest around the world.
When asked what fascinates her so much about the
topic, Dr. Bojakowski says, “Nautical archaeology
is more than a study of seafaring technology; it is
an examination of the ambitions and motivations
of individuals and nations for purposes of trade,
exploration, and colonization. It is also a story of
symbolism, national pride, and the human drive
to look beyond the known world and discover the
unknown. It is this aspect of my research that I
find fascinating. I was initially drawn to the field of
nautical archaeology because it combined my love
of the sea with my interest in archaeology. I also
have the ability to study shipwrecks from many
different time periods and nationalities, which

In addition to Bermuda, shipwreck excavations
have taken Dr. Bojakowski to the Azores Islands, the
Dominican Republic, Portugal, and Oklahoma. In
the Azores Islands, she was part of an archaeological
team that excavated a 16th century Spanish galleon
called the Angra D wreck. She also recorded
timbers from a landlocked shipwreck; the Cais do
Sodre wreck, in Lisbon. In the Dominican Republic,
she was the co-director of an archaeological survey
of the southern shore of the island and joined the
Monti Cristi Project excavating a 17th century
shipwreck off of La Isla Cabrita. In addition, she
spent two summers working on the Red River
Project in Oklahoma excavating and recording
the hull of the Heroine, which was an early 19th
century steamship.
Dr. Bojakowski encourages her students to be
curious. She says, “I find teaching at Ashford both
extremely rewarding and continually challenging.
The college experience is often defined by
introducing students to critical thinking and
self-reflection. As an instructor I take pleasure in
being part of the process of teaching students that
the world is a much bigger place than they ever
imagined.” Dr. Bojakowski lives in Washington
State and is most happy on a sailboat or scuba
diving underneath it. She spends most of her free
time hiking, camping, and going on backpacking
expeditions with her family. //

For more biographies of
Ashford faculty members
and to follow their most
recent accomplishments,
visit ashford.edu/faculty.

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/23

IN YOUR WORDS / AU Alumni Magazine

IN YOUR WORDS:
ARTICLES PENNED
BY ALUMNI
Ashford University is proud to feature articles written by our alumni in Ashford Connections. If you have
an article to submit or an idea that you would like to write about, please contact Alumni Relations at
alumni@ashford.edu.

DEVELOPING THE PEARL WITHIN YOU
BY ELIHU CLAIBORNE
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication, 2013
You can say that strengths are like pearls. Each
human being possesses a pearl within that is
both unique and rare. Because our time on
this earth is limited, and we all want to make
the most of that time, it is incredibly important
that we develop our pearls in every way possible
during our lives.
An actual pearl is introduced to the world
through a rather strange and intriguing process.
Pearls are literally the product of constant
irritation. For instance, an oyster feeds off the
bottom of the ocean and occasionally it will
suction a grain of sand that becomes lodged
on the inside. That sand causes the oyster
discomfort, so it rubs and rubs in an effort to get rid of it. The constant friction
caused by the rubbing eventually forms the sand into a beautiful pearl, for
which people will pay thousands of dollars. But the fact of the matter is that the
beautiful pearl is birthed out of a fairly uncomfortable situation that the oyster
would have preferred to not deal with. But that irritation was divinely designed
to become something beautiful; to blossom into a valuable treasure. In much
the same way, every irritation in our life has the potential to become a pearl.

Higher powers are constantly working on us. We grow little by little and we
continue to be a work in progress each and every day. During our journey there
will almost definitely be suffering that we have to endure. There are going to
be times when we say, “I can’t take it anymore! I can’t deal with this child! I
can’t handle this boss! I can’t put up with this rude person in my life anymore!
I can’t balance my family and career one more day!” Do not give up! Just hang
in there and remember, like the pearl, you are slowly maturing into something
beautiful and unique.
Every person has value deep within. We are being formed into something more
priceless than any amount of money can buy! Sometimes when we look at
ourselves, we often tend to see our weaknesses but overlook our strengths. I am
grateful that I’ve learned to focus on my strengths and permit my weaknesses
to exist as a catalyst to help me mature as a young man. None of us are finished
products. We are still growing and forming.
Recognize the pearl within you and don’t fight against it, because the pearl
within you will lead you to the beautiful person you were meant to be.

Ashford alumni may submit articles to be
considered for “In Your Words” by emailing
connections@ashford.edu.

The Christian scripture talks about how our higher power is the potter and we
are the clay. No matter our religious beliefs, one way we are formed and molded
is by being in uncomfortable situations. We’re not always getting our way or
being treated right, or something is not happening as fast as we would like. This
pressure brings to light impurities in our character such as pride, selfishness,
cynicism, and being easily offended; things we need to get rid of to reach a
higher place. Each time we are challenged, we need to remind ourselves that
this is only a test and an opportunity to rise above. The irritation was never
designed to frustrate you, it was designed to help you grow, to help you develop
that pearl, and to motivate you.
Many faiths believe that ultimately our faith is tried in the fire of affliction, just
as fire tests and purifies gold. Some of you may be in that refiner’s fire right now,
going through a tough time. You probably don’t like it and believe it’s not fair.
But let me encourage you: if you’ll keep the faith and keep pushing forward,
you will emerge more refined, purified, stronger, and better off than you were
before you faced the fire.

24/

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

/ IN YOUR WORDS

EXPERIENCING AN
EVOLVING SOUTH AFRICA
BY KEVIN BESSY
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, 2013
Master of Business Administration, Entrepreneurship specialization

Kevin Bessy, a senior estimator at a construction
company group in Ontario, Canada who earned
his BA in Organizational Management from
Ashford in 2013 and is currently back earning his
MBA, was selected to receive a $2,000 travel grant
to attend the Golden Key International Honour
Society 2013 South Africa Summit. The summit,
held on September 20 and 21 at the foot of Table
Mountain in Cape Town, had a theme of “Lead –
Inspire – Grow,” which supported the Golden Key
“Stand Out – Stand Up – Stand Together” slogan.
It was an opportunity for Kevin to travel across
the globe while networking with individuals with
similar aspirations and dreams. Below is Kevin’s
account of the transformative experience.
My visit to the South African Summit was
exhilarating. Not only was it a chance to see and
experience the geography of another continent,
but also a diverse culture outside what I am
accustomed to in North America. It was an
opportunity to meet and interact with the emerging
face of a country steeped in history, but also a
nation and people healing and evolving from
within. I saw how young South Africans are gearing
up to contribute to society, constructing the roads
and vehicles that will allow for the restructuring of
the establishments and adding to the potential and
value of future generations.
The workshops I attended at the South African
Summit were filled with such high and intoxicating
aspirations. From them, I was able to experience
the energy behind how the next generations will be
shaping their country. They are examining the ways

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

Ashford alum Kevin Bessy poses at the foot of Table Mountain in Cape Town, South Africa.

“My visit to the South African
Summit was exhilarating.”

in which to engage others in their communities,
take action, and become agents of change. They
hope to be useful, contribute, and take ownership
rather than waiting for someone (or government
programs) to intervene. They are taking action and
developing their national pride and identity, and
they are creating sound means in which to expand
upon, develop, and retain the intellectual resources
of the country. Expanding on this type of thinking
to engage the broader community is also a priority.
The young South Africans I met all exhibited
leadership
traits
of
empathy,
autonomy,
conscientiousness, and problem-solving abilities
to set goals with confidence and accomplish action
plans. This was truly a spectacular and exhilarating
experience to see and be part of. I was completely
moved and touched by these people’s dedication
to engage the services of the summit participants
to take part in a community involvement program.
We were all called together to help volunteer by
packaging school supplies for a local school and
sign a petition pledging to help stop the local
violence against women.

It was an experience I will never forget, and I was
delighted to have had such an opportunity. What
I took away was how to engage my coworkers
and employees in becoming active in our own
communities, igniting drive and passion within
them to recognize what is needed and how we could
come together to empower and act from within to
make a difference.
Thank you to Golden Key for this incredible
experience!
Learn about future summits. //

/25

CAMPUS SPOTLIGHT / AU Alumni Magazine

THE ASHFORD MEN’S
SOCCER TEAM’S RUN TO
THE NAIA SEMIFINALS
by Ryan Thomas, Sports Information Director

Coming off a year in which they made their second
appearance at the NAIA Men’s Soccer National
Championship, the Ashford University men’s soccer
team looked to not only match that success in 2013,
but take another step toward becoming a national
power. Instead, head Coach Richard Markham and
the Saints grew their success by leaps and bounds,
advancing to the semifinals of the 2013 NAIA Men’s
Soccer National Championships in Montgomery, AL.
The Saints finished the 2013 season with a 16-42 record, finished fourth in the final NAIA Top-25
Soccer Coaches’ Poll, and advanced farther than
any program in school history.
Those wins helped propel the Saints to the
Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.)
regular season championship and the number one
seed in the A.I.I. Tournament in Lawrenceville, GA.
The Saints would come up short in the A.I.I. title
game, but qualified for the NAIA Tournament by
earning an at-large bid.
Clinton would play host to the Opening Round of
the NAIA Tournament for the second year in a
row on November 23, 2013, as Ashford welcomed
Cardinal Stritch University (WI) to South Campus.
Trailing by a goal late in the game, sophomore Tim
Krautheim tied the game at two with 43 seconds

to go, sending the Ashford faithful into a frenzy.
The comeback was completed in double overtime
when junior Javier Ramirez faked out the Stritch
goalkeeper and fired the ball into the net, sending
Ashford to the Round of 16.
Ashford’s second round opponent, the Wildcats
of Baker University (KS), notched a win over the
Saints in the season opener and had AU on the
ropes after tying the game at two late. The game
headed to double-overtime and appeared destined
for a shootout when Krautheim found the back of
the net with 44 seconds to go, giving AU a berth in
the quarterfinals.
After a 5-1 win over Rio Grande (OH) in the quarters,
all that stood between the Saints and a spot in the
championship game were the Red Hawks of Martin
Methodist (TN). Ashford took a 1-0 lead early in
the second half, but the Red Hawks tied things up
shortly after. Two overtimes solved nothing and
the game headed to penalty kicks, where the Red
Hawks ended the Saints’ season en route to their
first ever national championship.
Following the tournament, the Saints collected
a slew of postseason awards. Freshman Daniel
Dreier and junior Mark Hiller were named to
the NAIA’s All-Tournament Team and the team

The Saints…
advanced farther
than any program in
school history.

was awarded with the Nels Dahlquist Memorial
Team Sportsmanship Award. Lucas Almeida
(second team), Dreier (third team), and Fernando
Machado (honorable mention) all earned AllAmerican nominations.
Sao Paulo, Brazil-native Almeida was named A.I.I.
Player of the Year and earned an all-conference
nomination along with Dreier, Machado, Caio Ruiz,
Patrick Kinsella, and Ramirez.
Several Saints were also recognized for their work
in the classroom at the end of the year. Ramirez
was named First Team Academic All-America,
First Team All-District Five Academic All-America
and Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete. Simon
Brown, Alejandro Erazo, Chris Higgins, Luiz Mota
and Brock Smutney also earned NAIA Scholar
Athlete awards. //

CAMPUS
VOLUNTEERS
PROVIDE
DISASTER
RELIEF
From left to right: Renee Christiansen, Audra Adams, Ann Chezem, Haley Fischer, and Kim Rogis
do their part to help with tornado relief.
by Audra Adams, Manager of Service Learning

In Fall 2013, Ashford Service Learning student
volunteers traveled to Moore, OK and Washington,
IL to help clean up after tornadoes ripped through
each community. Ashford’s Manager of Service
Learning shares the experience here.
OKLAHOMA TORNADO RELIEF
Moore, OK was selected as the site for our annual fall semester service trip
– a very eye-opening experience for our students. On our first day in Moore,
we visited elementary school sites that were demolished by the storm. As
impactful as it was visually, it was really hard for the students to read about
the young children who lost their lives on that fatal day. Branden Lambiase,
a participating senior Criminal Justice major, said, “During this time I found
myself becoming overwhelmingly upset that these students had died, because
I associated their stories with my youngest brother and could not imagine
losing him in something like this.”
After this emotional experience, the rest of the trip was based on helping the
community move forward. The group cleaned debris from ditches, canvassed
neighborhoods for residents in need, weeded a community pumpkin patch,
cleaned up a resident’s yard, and spackled drywall. It was a trip that we will
never forget – not just due to the devastation we encountered, but for the bonds
that were formed and the relationships that were strengthened through service
to strangers. “I wish we could have done even more for the Moore community,
but I do understand that the work we did was needed,” said Brian. “I’m glad
that I was blessed with the opportunity to experience this trip. Service is a huge
passion of mine, and this trip helped solidify that in my heart.”

what the Ashford community could do to help. The next morning, we held an
impromptu meeting for all students interested in helping. Within two days
the students had launched a community-wide donations drive and planned
another Service Learning trip to help the people of Washington.
By the end of that week, students had collected two moving trucks full of
donations and over $600 to support the Washington community. A group of
12 students (who were at the sign-up starting at 4:30 am) accompanied by
six faculty and staff members including Charlie Minnick, Vice President and
Campus Director, headed down with the donations to Washington, IL. They
dropped off the donations and then spent the rest of the day helping two
families clean up what was left of their shattered homes.
This was the first time our students were face-to-face with a disaster that was
so fresh. It was an overwhelming experience for the students to see the damage
that can take place in merely two minutes. The one-day trip taught the group
the value of relationships over material things, and how, if you put your mind
to it, you can accomplish anything to help those in need.
The Ashford University Office of Service and Leadership is planning the next
service trip to New Orleans, LA to partner with Youth Rebuilding New Orleans
(YRNO), an organization that refurbishes foreclosed homes and gives them to
teachers to improve the educational system in New Orleans, in May 2014. //

“I’m glad that I was blessed with
the opportunity to experience
this trip.”

TORNADO RELIEF CLOSER TO HOME
The second service trip of the semester was completely unexpected, but turned
out to be one of the most amazing events the Ashford campus has experienced.
On November 17, 2013, an EF-4 tornado once again hit a town in the Midwest,
but this time it was much closer to home. Washington, IL is only about two
hours south of our Clinton campus and we have numerous students from the
area. Fortunately, none of our students were directly impacted, but stories of
friends and family members who lost everything came streaming in. Within
a few hours of hearing the news, students were already trying to figure out

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

/27

KEEP IN TOUCH / AU Alumni Magazine

CLASS NOTES
Ashford Alum Premieres
Award-Winning Short Film
Navy Veteran and Ashford graduate Jeff Heiser ’10 hosted a workshop in Idaho to share his awardwinning short film “Return but No
Escape,” about overcoming battles
with PTSD, suicide, and substance
abuse following his military career. He will also be a
guest speaker at the National Conference on Addiction
Disorders in St. Louis, MO in August. This writer, blogger,
speaker, photographer, and short filmmaker is president
and owner of Media Fish Productions LLC, a video and
photography services company located in Merritt Island,
FL. Not only is he a Navy veteran, but his wife and son are
as well. Jeff earned a BA in Social Science from Ashford
in 2010.
Ashford Alum Appointed
Executive Director
Jasmine C. Rogers ’10, who
earned her Master of Public
Administration (MPA) from Ashford, is the new Executive Director
at the Village of Hope in Salisbury,
Maryland. Jasmine has been with
the Village as both an intern and an employee since
2010. She would like to pursue a doctoral degree in human services or organizational leadership in the future, saying, “Ashford University has given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and to take on challenges.
Learn more about Jasmine.
Ashford Alum Runs for
Mayor of Eldridge, IA
Adam Feldman ’13, a 29-yearold with a BA in Business
Administration from Ashford,
ran for mayor of Eldridge, IA in
an election late last year. A fulltime welder, Adam was inspired
to run for the city’s highest office when he began
hearing of opposition to a new city hall and wanted
to give residents a choice. Although he didn’t win
this time, he looks forward to continuing to apply
his Ashford Bachelor’s degree positively to various
aspects of his personal and professional life.

28/

Ashford Graduate Leading
Vancouver Parks and
Recreation Department
Julie
Hannon
’11,
who
earned her Master of Public
Administration (MPA) from
Ashford, has been named Director of the Vancouver Parks and
Recreation Department in Vancouver, WA. Julie,
who has 25 years of parks and recreation experience,
now oversees 44 full-time employees and 108 parks.
Aftermarket News Features
Ashford Alum
Ashford graduate Cary Redman ’09
is the National Sales Manager for
Edelbrock LLC. He was recently featured in The Aftermarket
News, where he said working for
Edelbrock is like “getting to enjoy
your favorite hobby every day.” Cary earned his MBA
from Ashford in 2009.
Vice President of Sales for AGN
Media Holds Ashford Degree
The Amarillo-Globe News of
Texas featured Ashford graduate
Linda Anders ’12, who was named
Vice President of Sales for AGN
Media. Experienced in media, advertising, marketing, and public
relations, she has previously served as director of advertising and marketing for Southern Newspapers in
Clute and advertising sales director at BayStar Group
Advertising Agency. Linda received her Bachelor of
Arts in Public Relations and Marketing from Ashford in
2012 and is currently back at Ashford working on her
MBA with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.
Ashford Alum’s Restaurant
Featured in Providence Journal
As reported in the Providence
Journal,
Ashford
graduate
Steve Mellekas ’10 has been
running beloved Mel’s Cafenio
in Newport, RI, with his brother
Greg since 1982. It has been a
family business since the 1940s, once owned by their
father and now employing some of the brothers’
children as well. Steve earned his MBA from Ashford
University in 2010.

Ashford Alum Keynote Speaker
at LGBTA Mentorship Program
Linda Anderson ’11, Operations
Manager of a Kellogg Company
plant in Battle Creek, MI, was
the keynote speaker at Western
Michigan University’s LBGTA
Career Mentorship Program,
which matches LBGTA students and professionals
in the area to provide support and career-related
resources to the students. Linda earned her MBA,
Supply Chain Management specialization, from
Ashford in 2011 and is now earning her PhD from
Ashford’s sister school, University of the Rockies. “My MBA opened the door for new professional opportunities with my employer,” she said.
Learn more about Linda.
Seasoned Military Professional
Grad Now Teaching at Ashford
With 32 years in the Air Force,
two decades in law enforcement,
and a high-profile position in the
Department of Homeland Security, Erick Stone ’11, 50, was
able to earn Ashford University
college credit for his experience-based learning. He
applied it toward a BA in Social and Criminal Justice
(2009) and an MA in Education (2011) while working full-time as a lieutenant colonel for the Department of Homeland Security, volunteering as an
assistant coach for his son’s football team and as a
lacrosse coach at his local recreational center, and
serving as an advisor to several police departments.
He now teaches online courses in the Homeland
Security and Law Enforcement at his alma mater.
Learn more about Erick.
Ashford Alum Named to Campus President Post
Tina Gross ’11 has been employed with Ivy Tech Community College since 1993 and has
served as the Executive Director
at the Franklin, IN campus since
2011. She has now been named to
one of the 11 Campus President positions at the College. In Tina’s new role, her focus will be on outreach
to the local community. In addition, she will manage
the day-to-day operations while fostering a campus
climate that is consistent with the College’s core values. Tina earned her MBA with a specialization in
Organizational Leadership from Ashford.

Ashford University / ashford.edu

AU Alumni Magazine

AU Student Hired at CPA Firm
Theresa Willie is the newest
associate to join Lynne Bushore & Associates, CPAs in Palm
Springs. She is currently enrolled at Ashford University’s
Forbes School of Business, where
she is working toward her BA in
Accounting. Her goal is to become a CPA with a
focus in forensic accounting.
Disaster Restoration Company
Hires Ashford Graduate
Denise Mooney ’09 was hired as
an assistant to the vice president
of sales and marketing for Swartz
Contracting and Emergency Services in Kitsap County, WA. The
company specializes in disaster restoration from damages caused by fire, water,
wind or storm. Denise brings more than 15 years
of experience in business administration, training,
management, and marketing services for both government agencies and private industry. She holds a
BA in business administration from Franklin University and an MA in Organizational Management
from Ashford.
Ashford Graduate Wins
Red Apple Award
Marcus Allen ’12, who earned
his BA in Social Science with a
concentration in Education*, was
surprised live on the Houston
morning news when he was presented with the Red Apple Award
from Capital One Bank. Marcus teaches structured
learning for high school students with autism at
Spring High School in Spring, TX; his first teaching
job. A thankful parent nominated Marcus for the
award. View the video. Additionally, Marcus has
been awarded Rookie Teacher of the Year for Spring
High School. Learn more about Marcus.

Ashford Connections / Issue Eight

Novel Published
by Ashford Grad
Donald C. Pitts ’11, who earned
his BA in Early Childhood
Education from Ashford, has
had his first book published.
The Lamb and the Dragon, available through Tate Publishing, is a
novel about good versus evil, injected with religious
and supernatural themes. Donald says the book was
18 years in the making due to his struggle with Meniere’s disease, an inner ear condition that affects
his hearing and balance. Donald credits his Ashford
education with helping him to perfect his writing
skills, and also his Ashford instructor Bruce Carruthers, who edited the book at no charge.
Gaia Herbs Hires Ashford
Alum as Director of Sales
Gaia
Herbs®
welcomed
Guinevere C. Lynn ’11 to the
company’s newly created position of Director of Sales in January 2014. Guinevere is a 17-year
veteran of the natural products
industry, having served in key leadership roles in
sales, operations, and customer management in top
management positions at companies including Sun
Chlorella and Vega. This high-energy natural living
advocate runs marathons, practices yoga, and eats
a vegan diet. She completed her MBA at Ashford in
2011 with a 4.0 GPA.
Jamie Muniz Promoted to
Marketing Associate at Pravana
Jamie Muniz ’12 graduated
from Paul Mitchell the School in
Costa Mesa, CA in 2002, which
began her career of assisting and
eventually working alongside
some of the most well-known
talent in the industry. She was very privileged to
hone her craft under the tutelage of Paul Mitchells’
finest stylists. She quickly built her own clientele
and settled into a small salon in La Jolla, CA where
she worked behind the chair for several years. During this time, she decided that she would go back
to school to get her BA in Public Relations and
Marketing. She worked full-time in the salon and
attended school at Ashford University, graduating
in 2012. Jamie’s years of experience behind the chair
made her an asset to the PRAVANA team, and this
promotion to Marketing Associate has put her in a
position to help shape the future of the industry from
a stylist’s perspective.

/ KEEP IN TOUCH

Kenmore High School Names
Ashford Alum Football Coach
Kemp Boyd ’10 has been hired
by the Akron School District
as the Football Coach at Kenmore High School. This Ashford
alum, who earned his MA in
Organizational Management in
2010, has held previous football coaching positions
in the Akron School District and is looking forward
to coaching KHS.
Ashford Alum Presented with
California Teacher’s Award
Penny Shuey ’10, Director of
Tenaya Parent Preschool and
a teacher at Don Pedro High
School, was recognized with
the high school-level California
Teacher’s Award by the Veterans
of Foreign Wars organization (her husband, father,
and uncle were in the service). Penny teaches English, journalism, speech, and culinary classes. She
holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education Concentration from Ashford.* Prior to her career in education, Penny was a single mom working
as a waitress and bartender when her then-teenage
daughter Brandee Prinze ’11 convinced her to go
back to school. Brandee has since graduated from
Ashford as well with a BA in Psychology and is now
working as a behavioral therapist while finishing a
Master’s degree in speech language pathology.
Ashford Alum Selected for
Emerging Leaders Program
Technical Sergeant Timothy J.
Tichawa ’12, a BA Homeland
Security and Emergency Management graduate, was selected
for the Air Force Association’s
2014 Emerging Leaders Program.
Timothy is currently a flight chief (space operations)
in the 53rd Training Squadron at Vandenberg Air
Force Base in California.
*This program was replaced with the
Bachelor of Arts in Education Studies.

SHARE YOUR MILESTONES!
Email alumni@ashford.edu and let us know
how your Ashford degree is helping you
reach your personal or professional goals.
Plus, leverage your experience as an Ashford
alum by visiting ashford.edu/alumni.

/29

SOCIAL MEDIA CORNER / AU Alumni Magazine

JOIN ASHFORD’S ALUMNI
COMMUNITY ON FACEBOOK!
Did you know you can download your very own Ashford University wallpapers
for your computer, tablet, or smartphone – or even for use as your Facebook
cover photo? Choose from the designs below to get started, and once you’re
on the webpage, scroll down to the bottom right of the page to download. And
remember: #GoSaints!

CHECK OUT THESE RECENT FAVORITE QUOTES
FROM ASHFORD’S SOCIAL MEDIA COMMUNITY!

I was the first person in my
immediate family to receive a BA
– a very big deal for us. I am now
going for my MBA!

Through Ashford University,
I’ve discovered the strength
that I have – and that I can do
anything with determination.

-Joseph G.

-Mayelin Q.

Discover Ashford’s social media
communities at ashford.edu/social, and join
the conversation.

Political Science & Government
Social & Criminal Justice*
Social Science*
Sociology*
Visual Art**
*Offered on campus and online.
**Offered on campus only. All other listed programs
are offered online.
For more information about on-time completion
rates, the median loan debt of students who
completed each program, and other important
information, please visit ashford.edu/pd.